bu-GoogleTV_PH1_0501707610Did Google really believe that the US TV networks would allow them to re-distribute their content through the Google TV service? Pretty naive of them if that is the case.

TV distributors are wary about becoming the music industry, which was all but destroyed by the likes of Napster and other P2P services. They’re all about signing content distribution deals with online media providers and establishing their own brands in the online space. It’s smart and will ensure their survival. There was no benefit for them to make their content available for Google to re-badge for free via the Google TV product.

Boxee will no doubt face a similar problem with its device.

Both Google TV and Boxee will be great to access web content services like YouTube, Funny or Die, etc. But for how long? And is that enough to make the product worth a purchase? They need permanent access to the premium content.

The Associated Press report:

Fox joins broadcasters in blocking Google TV link

(AP) – 3 hours ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — News Corp.’s Fox has joined broadcasters ABC, CBS and NBC in blocking access to full episodes of shows when searched from Google TV’s Web browser. That’s according to a person at Fox familiar with the matter.

The move took effect Wednesday, about three weeks after other broadcasters blocked access. The person says the delay resulted from the fact that Google TV had just launched and wasn’t seen as a high priority. The person wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Tech blogs had reported on the development earlier.

The Sony television that comes with Google TV software can still access networks like any regular TV, just not the online versions.

Broadcasters want to block viewing over Internet-connected TVs because it is less profitable than regular TV.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diTpeYoqAhc&hd=1[/youtube]